Ombudsman orders Legarda, son to answer plunder complaint

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered Senator Loren Legarda and her son, Batangas First District Rep. Leandro Leviste, to answer the plunder and graft complaints against them over the alleged failure of Leviste’s firm to provide solar power as provided under its congressional franchise, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said.

At the same time, Clavano questioned Legarda's extended medical leave due to a serious illness as announced by Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.

“There was already an order to file a counter-affidavit,” Clavano said.

“Kung talagang meron siyang serious illness, sana isa lang po yung hiningi niya na medical leave, hindi yung pa-extend-extend. And that is the only reason why the Office of the Ombudsman had to flag that type of pattern. If you are out of the country, it adds to the speculation or adds to the suspicion of the Office of the Ombudsman,” Clavano added.

Clavano said that it behooves any individual to stay put in the country if they are already facing investigation.

“Electricity prices went up due to unfulfilled promises of that franchise, and a lot of the allocations for solar power were given to this company, and yet they were not able to deliver. The public is feeling the brunt of their decision,” Clavano said.

“Sana po ay manatili muna kayo dito sa bansa para po medyo maliwanagan po tayo doon sa nangyari at maliwanagan din ang taong-bayan sa katotohanan,” Clavano added.

Ahead of the Ombudsman investigation, the Department of Energy (DOE) already filed a complaint against Leviste and five officials of the Solar Para sa Bayan Corporation (SPBC) for alleged violations of the Public Service Act before the Justice Department.

In an earlier statement on the Ombudsman investigation, Legarda said, "All my public life since 1998, I have always upheld my integrity, which I value dearly. This baseless allegation is a smear on my person that is totally undeserved."

“We have not received any communication from the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the reported preliminary investigation, but I can categorically state that the reported accusations are utterly false and baseless. No public funds were involved. We are prepared to bring out the truth,” she added.

Legarda urged the public to be discerning, “especially in light of the timing and nature of these allegations.”

She has been on medical leave since August 3. She extended her leave up to the first week of September.—LDF, GMA News